Elevate [Hybrid SACD] - Fiona Mackenzie

Advantages: All the benefits of the quadrophonic recording without the crackle
Disadvantages: the vinal still sounds warmer

...What can I add after that title? I have my original pressing first release vinal album which still sounds superb although getting a quadrophonic amp that still works is a bitch! This SACD presentation brings back much of the original feel and nearly the depth of the original which the cd lacked particuarily if used via naff kit. This is Floyd at their peak in my humble opinion and one of the defining albums of the twentieth century. If you don't already own it buy it now forget Seargent Pepper and th White Album this is the must buy album of all time. Ok you need a sacd player and a decent 5.1 amp to appreciate this album at its best having said that if you have the kit sit back and enjoy. It's hard to believe this album was recorded so long ago considering the multi level nature of the tracks that are so far ahead of their time.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: The album which set Simple Minds off on the road to superstardom, excellent cross section of material, the Title Track.
Disadvantages: Price and Availability, no 5.1 sound (but see review), minimal info (there should by lyrics at this price!)

...I first purchased this album back in 1984 on good old vinyl. Well I sold it shortly after in my great vinyl clearout (tragic or what...?) and had almost forgotten about Simple Minds. But as a direct result of a trial period by Napster, I rediscovered it and hunted out the Hybrid SACD version. As I don't trust the post, I decided to purchase via a normal retailer. Sadly Swordfish were out of stock and I had to purchase form Skanky Hoe (see my review on Virgin) in The Pavillions, Birmingham for £19.99(!!!). The secomd most expensive CD in my collection. But is was something special. Firstly i was going to get my ears around one of fave albums ever for a second time and secondly I was going to hear it in it's best possible format-Hybrid SACD. Simple Minds are a Glasweigan group staring off in 1977 with a punk/Bowie influence which became... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Music to take you on a magic carpet ride
Disadvantages: Nothing (unless you hate sitars)

...First of all, better get the technical stuff out of the way. This is a two-disc set, the first disc contains the original album remastered on SACD. It plays stereo on a CD player and...er stereo on an SACD player (even though the sleeve states there's a quad mix). The second disc is a normal CD which contains seven alternate versions, two studio songs previously available on the collection 'Prelude' (and 'Caught Live +5'), five live sessions tracks and one b'side. The packaging is a big cardboard fold-out thingy which takes up quite a bit of shelf space and the plastic slip-case is a nice touch. The booklet is very informative but... NO LYRICS. Such a shame as I really wanted to read along while stroking my beard. This is the period of the band before Justin Hayward really took over and it's surprising how democratic everything is... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful